Parramatta Eels opened their season with a comfortable 26-8 win over local rivals Canterbury Bulldogs in front of 29,171 fans at Western Sydney Stadium in their game on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts did most of their damage in the first half. Bryce Cartwright with a pair of tries alongside scores from Morgan Harper and Bailey Simonsson were the difference while Blake Wilson and Stephen Crichton found the line for the Bulldogs.
The Eels held most of the possession early in the game. They went close through Shaun Lane who was held up then made use of their kicking game to push the Bulldogs back often.
It was from the kick where they opened the scoring. Mitch Moses drilled a kick low for former Bulldog Morgan Harper to touch down just inside the in-goal line and make it 6-0.
They went to the boot for their next points. Jaeman Salmon clipped an Eel high which drew the whistle and with Moses struggling with an injury, Clint Gutherson piloted through the kick for 8-0.
Eels added to their score late in the first half. Joey Lussick flicked the short ball to a rampaging Bryce Cartwright who strolled over almost untouched after a blue-and-gold assault in the first half.
The script continued to benefit the Eels in the second half. They went close after some superb work kept the ball alive then Sean Russell went over but it was brought back for Kurt Mann taking it dead.
Parramatta didn't have to wait long for another four-pointer. Some superb hands between their forwards saw Cartwright involved heavily again, he rolled over the defense for a 20-0 lead.
Bulldogs got on the scoresheet eventually. Eels spilled it in their own half and some quick hands down the right side saw Blake Wilson go over in the corner for 20-4.
It felt like groundhog day again for the Bulldogs for their second four-pointer. They were gifted another Eels error then Villiame Kikau poked through and passed to Stephen Crichton to score.
The rumours of a Bulldogs comeback were premature. They spread it on last tackle in their own half, spilled it and Bailey Simonsson just ran away to secure the 26-8 win in front of their biggest crowd at Western Sydney Stadium.
Match Highlights - #NRLEelsBulldogs
A Bryce Cartwright double helped the Eels to victory over the Bulldogs! pic.twitter.com/dqrswT84GP
— NRL (@NRL) March 9, 2024